Red/near-infrared light-emitting diode therapy for traumatic brain injury

Margaret A. Naeser; Paula I. Martin; Michael D. Ho; Maxine H. Krengel; Yelena Bogdanova; Jeffrey A. Knight; Megan K. Yee; Ross Zafonte; Judith Frazier; Michael R. Hamblin; Bang-Bon Koo

doi:10.1117/12.2176345

22 May 2015 Red/near-infrared light-emitting diode therapy for traumatic brain injury

Margaret A. Naeser, Paula I. Martin, Michael D. Ho, Maxine H. Krengel, Yelena Bogdanova, Jeffrey A. Knight, Megan K. Yee, Ross Zafonte, Judith Frazier, Michael R. Hamblin, Bang-Bon Koo

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 9467, Micro- and Nanotechnology Sensors, Systems, and Applications VII; 94670M (2015) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2176345
Event: SPIE Defense + Security, 2015, Baltimore, MD, United States

Abstract

This invited paper reviews our research with scalp application of red/near-infrared (NIR) light-emitting diodes (LED) to improve cognition in chronic, traumatic brain injury 1. Application of red/NIR light improves mitochondrial function (especially hypoxic/compromised cells) promoting increased ATP, important for cellular metabolism. Nitric oxide is released locally, increasing regional cerebral blood flow. Eleven chronic, mTBI participants with closed-head injury and cognitive dysfunction received 18 outpatient treatments (MWF, 6 Wks) starting at 10 Mo. to 8 Yr. post-mTBI (MVA, sports-related, IED blast injury). LED therapy is non-invasive, painless, non-thermal (FDA-cleared, non-significant risk device). Each LED cluster head (2.1" diameter, 500mW, 22.2mW/cm²) was applied 10 min (13J/cm²) to 11 scalp placements: midline, from front-to-back hairline; and bilaterally on dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, temporal, and parietal areas. Testing performed pre- and post-LED (+1 Wk, 1 and 2 Mo post- 18th treatment) showed significant linear trend for LED effect over time, on improved executive function and verbal memory. Fewer PTSD symptoms were reported. New studies at VA Boston include TBI patients treated with transcranial LED (26J/cm²); or treated with only intranasal red, 633nm and NIR, 810nm diodes placed into the nostrils (25 min, 6.5mW, 11.4J/cm²). Intranasal LEDs are hypothesized to deliver photons to hippocampus. Results are similar to Naeser et al. (2014). Actigraphy sleep data show increased sleep time (average, +1 Hr/night) post-18th transcranial or intranasal LED treatment. LED treatments may be self-administered at home (Naeser et al., 2011). A shamcontrolled study with Gulf War Illness Veterans is underway.

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Margaret A. Naeser, Paula I. Martin, Michael D. Ho, Maxine H. Krengel, Yelena Bogdanova, Jeffrey A. Knight, Megan K. Yee, Ross Zafonte, Judith Frazier, Michael R. Hamblin, and Bang-Bon Koo "Red/near-infrared light-emitting diode therapy for traumatic brain injury", Proc. SPIE 9467, Micro- and Nanotechnology Sensors, Systems, and Applications VII, 94670M (22 May 2015); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2176345

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